Annual Early Deadline Alert

Trifecta. It's a word that echoes through Boise Weekly HQ each year, first with an incredulous whisper and finally with an exasperated harrumph. It's the time when, in preparation for our holiday office closure that falls from Monday, Dec. 24 to Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, we start squirreling away upcoming calendar listings and live music happenings for our pending blizzard of early deadlines.

So how does this trifect you? If you have an event, gig, art opening, holiday sale, bar mitzvah or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed New Year's Eve party that you think the greater Boise area should know about, you need to have all the pertinent information submitted to calendar@boiseweekly.com by Friday, Dec. 7, so it can be included in our trifecta issues: Wednesday, Dec. 19, Wednesday, Dec. 26 and Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013.

But don't worry, just because we're going to press early with these three issues doesn't mean you won't find our usual barrage of online breaking news posts on Citydesk, show reviews and viral videos on Cobweb and pithy social media commentary on Facebook and Twitter.

In the midst of all this deadline hand-wringing, we're managing the stress the best way we know how: by donning our finest cocktail attire and getting schlocked on gimlets and manhattans at the Look Smart BW SmartCard Appreciation Party. And because we appreciate you, BW readers, you're invited to join Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Idaho Botanical Garden. That is, if you've downloaded the free BW SmartCard app and purchased your $25 ticket. And why should you do that? Because of two of our favorite words in the English language: open bar ... or, uh, good company. Find out more in Picks.

Still don't know what the BW SmartCard is or how it differs from the BW Card that you've loved and loaded with cash these last few years? Then hit up BW SmartCard Week, which kicks off Wednesday, Nov. 28, at El Gallo Giro in Kuna with $2 margaritas and continues through Tuesday, Dec. 4, at various Treasure Valley retailers, including Barbara Barbara and Co., Falcon Tavern and The Basque Market.

And speaking of doing the smart thing, if you'd like to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy, Boise Weekly will be a drop-off location for new or clean clothing and new, unwrapped toys to benefit those in need. You can unload your bundles Thursday, Nov. 29, from noon to 5 p.m., and again First Thursday, Dec. 6, from 5-8 p.m. For more info, contact michelle.martin@bodybuilding.com.